Sediment and nitrogen runoff carried by rivers is a major challenge to the Great Barrier Reef. Science confirms efforts to improve water quality are paying off.

Our new research shows water quality is improving in many rivers that flow to the reef. This is good news.

To find out if water quality is changing, our research team analysed up to 37 years of monitoring data from seven major river systems to track changes in fertiliser runoff (dissolved inorganic nitrogen) and suspended sediment. These are two of the five key pollutants scientists use to track changes in river basins. Our research is the largest and most comprehensive analysis of catchment water quality for the reef to date.